An east-west divide has seen half of the country enjoy a sunny start to the
Bank Holiday, with the rest of the UK struggling with heavy downpours.

While there was wet weather and a risk of flooding in the east and north, parts of the west basked in dry, sunny spells.

But there is good news for those who endured the rain, as the weather will gradually improve in the east on Sunday before the whole country gets the chance to enjoy some more sunny conditions on the bank holiday itself, with predicted highs of 78.8F (26C).

Tom Tobler, a forecaster for MeteoGroup, said: “It’s a gradually improving picture on Sunday, but Monday will be the best day of the three-day weekend.”

Tens of thousands of music fans at this weekend’s Reading and Leeds festival woke up to muddy conditions, while the Notting Hill Carnival in west London is expected to get off to a wet start before rain clears.

Meanwhile, at Loch Lomond, where conditions were better, as many as 2,000 people took part in the Great Swim, Europe’s biggest open water swimming event.

Despite the rain in many areas, campsites across Britain were at capacity. Bookings for the weekend were up 17 per cent on last year, as the industry continues to enjoy a strong recovery following the wash out caused by the downpours of 2012.

Family bookings at campsites in July were up 40 per cent on last year, with the demand split across those taking tent pitches or space for their caravan, and the Camping and Caravan Club is confident family reservations for August as a whole could be 60 per cent up on the same month a year ago.

Jon Dale, spokesman for club, said: “People look for certainty in uncertain times and that’s why an affordable holiday in this country has never been so appealing.

"As the good weather continues, thousands of campers and caravanners are choosing to holiday at home this summer. Last year, being the wettest for 100 years, was very difficult, but this year, the weather has rekindled people’s love of camping and families have come out in their droves.”